According to the owner's manual there are three criteria given for the oil that is recommended for the L76 engine:

1. Must meet GM Standard 6094M
2. Must be SAE 5W-30
3. Must have the API Sunburst seal

Note: there is a comment regarding operation in extreme cold climates that suggests synthetic oil but that is the only reference I could find.

In my research, I've found that only the synthetic oils meet the GM standard. Has anyone found a dino oil that actually states on the bottle that it meets the GM Standard 6094M?

I bought the Mobil 1 Extended Life Synthetic for mine but have not changed the oil yet. I've got a little over 1200 miles on the clock at this point and wanted to go ahead and change the oil and filter, then let the Oil Life system do it's thing from this point on.

Anyone have any well-founded, factual reasons for not using synthetic at this point? Don't give me your opinions please - just fact-based data from GM, or other sources that have demonstrated results.

Thanks,
BJ

Here is an arcticle I found on the subject that tells you what the GM specification means.


GM Adds Engine Oil Requirement

By Lisa Tocci

(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) Engine oils for General Motors’ 2004 model year passenger cars will have to leap an additional hurdle beyond the ILSAC GF-3 specification, it was announced here Monday.

Speaking before ILMA meeting here, GM’s Roy Fewkes said the automaker has decided that since the introduction of GF-4 oils has been delayed, it needs to reactivate the GM 6094M low-temperature pumpability requirement. The old GM 6094M specification was dropped when API initiated the engine oil licensing and certification system and began identifying qualified oils with the starburst symbol in the early 1990s.

Since then, GM car owners manuals have advised drivers to use only oils displaying the starburst symbol on the container. Now, model year 2004 manuals will advise drivers to use oil that displays both the starburst and GM 6094M.

Oils for these cars will be identical in every way to ILSAC GF-3 oils, except in the area of low-temperature pumpability. The new specification sets maximum allowable low temperature pumping viscosity as follows: 30,000 centipoise at minus 40 degrees C for 0W oils; 40,000 cP at minus 35 degrees C for 5W oils; and 50,000 cP at minus 30 degrees C for 10W oils.

By contrast, the GF-3 specification sets a maximum low-temperature viscosity of 60,000 cP for all three of those grades.

GM’s Jim Linden says that this additional requirement is being put in place to support the continuation of GF-3 oils since the introduction of GF-4 oils has been delayed.


Just for the record, I use Mobil 1 in my vehicles as well.

Thanks Mike; that is exactly the kind of useful information I was looking for. I appreciate you sharing this.

BJ

One question: when I go to the dealer for my first oil change (and to fix other minor annoyances) what kind of oil will they use (i.e., synthetic?).

One question: when I go to the dealer for my first oil change (and to fix other minor annoyances) what kind of oil will they use (i.e., synthetic?).

That is a good question best answered by the head of service at your dealership of choice. It would be helpful to those reading this thread if you would be so kind as to make that call and see how they respond, then post it here. I think that this question may have already surfaced in a couple of related threads with conflicting results.

BJ

I changed the break-in oil/filter today as indicated in my original post. The car had 1188 miles on it so the Oil Life System obviously had not triggered. I turned the key from the off position to the run position without actually starting the engine, let the DIC go through its start-up cycle, then pressed the accelerator pedal to the floor three times within 5 seconds. I did not get any message on the DIC that would indicate that the Oil Life System actually reset. In the owner's manual, it says that "if the Service Engine Oil message does not appear, then the system has reset itself". I presumed that applies if the message has already appeared to tell you to change the oil. Since that is not the case, how do I know for sure that the oil life system actually reset?

Does Mechanic's Mode give that info?

BJ

http://216.182.211.32/techlink/images/issues/ref_gds/oil_lists_02_2008.pdf

Nice list Small Dealer, thanks for sharing!

BJ

yes, thanks small dealer!

Overuld, yes the "engineering mode does tell you the remaining oil life, I would suggest you check it to see that it is at 100% now that you reset it.

Thanks need4speed, I'll go check that now. Are you a pilot?

BJ

It's interesting that quality niche oil companies like Red Line, Royal Purple, Amsoil, or Schaeffer are not on the list, but a bunch of brands that I wouldn't put in my lawnmower are.

yes, thanks small dealer!

Overuld, yes the "engineering mode does tell you the remaining oil life, I would suggest you check it to see that it is at 100% now that you reset it.

need4speed:

That confirmed it, thanks much. It is showing 99% now, and I reset it mid-day today and drove a few miles this afternoon, so I presume that has moved it off of the 100% mark?

By the way, the Self Test mode is pretty cool!

BJ

Thanks need4speed, I'll go check that now. Are you a pilot?



BJ

Not a pilot of an aircraft, just flying at low altitude with the G8 GT :driving:

need4speed:

That confirmed it, thanks much. It is showing 99% now, and I reset it mid-day today and drove a few miles this afternoon, so I presume that has moved it off of the 100% mark?

By the way, the Self Test mode is pretty cool!

BJ Glad it worked, I would suppose it is never on 100% for long, when I picked my car up with 6 miles or so, it was on 98% fyi.

Not a pilot of an aircraft, just flying at low altitude with the G8 GT :driving:

Glad it worked, I would suppose it is never on 100% for long, when I picked my car up with 6 miles or so, it was on 98% fyi.

Thanks, just curious given your line from Top Gun and the reference to low level flight. I'm an old Air Force Crew Chief on the F4-E Phantom, and then got my private pilot's license back in 1985. I have quite a few hours in a Mooney 201, single engine, retractable gear, four passenger speed demon.

BJ

That is a good question best answered by the head of service at your dealership of choice. It would be helpful to those reading this thread if you would be so kind as to make that call and see how they respond, then post it here. I think that this question may have already surfaced in a couple of related threads with conflicting results.

BJ

I am trying to get in this week and will post my findings. Also, thanks Small Dealer for posting the "approved" list.

need4speed:

That confirmed it, thanks much. It is showing 99% now, and I reset it mid-day today and drove a few miles this afternoon, so I presume that has moved it off of the 100% mark?

BJ

Mine said 99% as soon as I reset it...

That is a good question best answered by the head of service at your dealership of choice. It would be helpful to those reading this thread if you would be so kind as to make that call and see how they respond, then post it here. I think that this question may have already surfaced in a couple of related threads with conflicting results.

BJ

Just got back from the dealer and my first oil change. They used Quaker State Peak Performance Motor Oil.

as per the approved list, I use Castrol GTx 5w-30. it actually has the sunburst seal and proper GM approval ratings on the bottle, as I found it prior to seeing GM's tech list. Castrol always seems to be at or near the top of the list in about every review I've ever come across. soon it's gonna be Syntec, making a $$$ oil change regimen. also, if you are using your free one year subscription to onstar, you can request vehicle diagnostics per their website and it will tell you the remaining oil life (%) sent to you via email. takes about 24hrs but is a cool bonus. hope this helps

Just got back from the dealer and my first oil change. They used Quaker State Peak Performance Motor Oil.

Interesting. Thanks for posting. Did you ask them what they thought about synthetic oil?

These oil spec threads can really become a debate regarding what everyone uses or thinks we should use. The fact is, without regard to what the engine really needs, but instead with what the owner wants to use, either a premium grade national brand (Pennzoil, Castrol, etc.) dino oil or semi-synthetic (mixture of syn & dino) or pure synthetic, will undoubtedly outlast your ownership of the car. This engine is designed to operate with dino oil....synthetic will function just as well, but will not likely provide any better lubrication for the reqirements of the engine, then dino. This is not a really "hot" engine....a nice, well designed engine, but hardly pushed to the maximum of it's capabilities. This huge sump...it's singular purpose is to allow for extended oil change periods, so the advantage of longer periods between changes with the synthetic, is basically lost with the sump size at 9 qts (approx.). So, use what you want, it's your baby, but don't feel compelled to use synthetic 'cause "your baby runs better on steak than hamburger"....it's only an engine and she'll produce her design HP with either and the protection from either is more than adeguate.

as per the approved list, I use Castrol GTx 5w-30. it actually has the sunburst seal and proper GM approval ratings on the bottle, as I found it prior to seeing GM's tech list.

If it wasn't for Castrol GTX, dealerships would almost never hear about the list.

GM testing found that it did not pass spec and it was delisted in June of 2007. GM worked with Castrol and GTX was relisted in October 2007.

I took my car into the dealership at around 800 miles and the lady said, "you mean 8,000 miles, right?" and I said, um, no... 800 miles. Then I forgot to ask what type of oil they used ! doh! But I did bring my own K&N oil filter.

Interesting. Thanks for posting. Did you ask them what they thought about synthetic oil?

They said using synthetic was "up to me" but not required. Interestingly enough, they put the standard 3 month/3k mile reminder sticker in my windshield, which I promptly removed. I'll run the oil monitor to about 75% from now on.

I took mine in around 1000 miles and they used Mobil 1 Synthetic. While I no problems with it (I use Mobil 1 in my 94 Vette), it was a little bit of a surprise when presented with the bill. The dealer I got the G8 from has a deal where if you have the oil changed on a vehicle purchased from them, you get free oil (for life). In this case, I had to pay the difference between normal Valvoline and Mobil 1. Not a big deal, but would have been nice to know ahead of time.

Dave
'08 G8 GT #772

That is a good question best answered by the head of service at your dealership of choice. It would be helpful to those reading this thread if you would be so kind as to make that call and see how they respond, then post it here. I think that this question may have already surfaced in a couple of related threads with conflicting results.

BJ
EGAD! I would do almost anything to keep my G8 out of the evil clutches of any dealer. I just find a reliable little lube shop nearby, make sure they have the full syn I want, and watch them like a hawk. :p